This time last year Hawthorn fans were simply struggling to remain optimistic.
A winless opening fortnight had got a whole lot worse when Gold Coast registered the first win in their history against the Hawks, handing Alastair Clarkson’s side an 86-point Round 3 drubbing.
A look at the finish of the 2016 season would have suggested the Hawks had a reasonably soft start to 2017, facing reigning wooden-spoon ‘winners’ Essendon in Round 1, semi-finalists Adelaide the following week before the Suns who finished 15th.
But, instead, it was a struggle for the Hawks.
Having been the sixth-highest scoring side in 2016 (and the number one for the four previous seasons before that), Hawthorn fell to 16th in points for through the first three rounds while also conceding more points than any other side.
The Hawks averaged 77.7 points for in the opening three rounds, the lowest rate since 2005, a season in which the club managed just five wins and finished third-last.
But, in 2018, traces of those high-scoring Hawks are emerging again despite the tough fixture of facing reigning premiers Richmond and preliminary finalists Geelong in the opening few weeks.
Read: Five talking points - Hawthorn v Richmond
So far this year, Hawthorn ranks fourth in the competition for points scored, with only nine points less than league-leader Melbourne, at an average of 102.7 per game.
This improvement can be explained by the Hawks’ progression in three key areas.
In 2017, in contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s, the Hawks ranked 16th, 15th and 14th respectively.
Despite being led by All Australian on-baller Tom Mitchell, the Hawks midfield brigade were simply unable to generate enough forward thrusts.
But this season has taken on a whole new look.
Mitchell has gone to another level, while the supporting cast of Jaeger O’Meara and Isaac Smith have also made improvements.
In the same three statistical categories of contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s, the Hawks sit at ninth, seventh and fifth respectively this year.
It probably helps that Tom Mitchell, competition leader in disposals this season at an average of 45.3, is also pacing the competition in these three improvement areas.
The 24-year old is averaging 21.3 contested possessions, 11 clearances and 7.7 inside 50s.
